We have things pretty easy in the United States. Honestly. I did not realize how much so, until today.
So, since I believe my only option of studies for this year is to become a Professor of English, I began "pre-university English class," today. It is not obligatory, but since I have never really been to school here, I decided to see what "class" is like. I regressed back to 3rd grade English class. However, I am sure my Spanish is no better than a 3rd grader here, so I think I am okay. Anyway, I went to class this morning, which was actually enjoyable! I met new people, I was in school (which you all know I love. Honestly. Obviously, the more challenging the better, but this will fare for now.), and it was something to do during my as of now chaotic days.
The only thing I was lacking were the booklets, or should I say photocopies, that everyone in the class had. Apparently, the way it is here in Argentina, you usually do not have the actual edition of a book. You do not ever really own a "book." You own the photocopy of the book. You may think, "What a waste of paper," or, "Why not books? They're the same thing as the photocopies, just, well, original!" However, because Argentina is not all that wealthy, the public school systems have allotted only a certain amount of original copies of books...even to sell to the students. So, we get photocopies. It is much cheaper this way. Plus, I actually enjoy it as I never really like to write in my textbooks. With a photocopied textbook, I can scribble in it all I want!
In the United States, we find it a hassle to print a research article. We find it annoying to have a photocopied passage of a book instead of the original copy, even if it is literally only 30 pages of a 500-page book we must read. We absolutely do not tolerate not having our OWN textbooks. Here, the Argentinians photocopy complete books/textbooks, if they can get a hand on them (usually there are only 2 for the entire student population). They are lucky if they can even research GOOD, worthy, and valid research articles. And, you must share a photocopied passage/book/textbook with maybe 30 people if you cannot find an original or a photocopy--usually the teacher may have this one photocopy to pass around. And this is just with textbooks. If I were to study at the school of medicine here, unlike the US in which you never have to share with more than 3 people 1 microscope, some classes will only have 1 microscope for an entirety of 50 people.
Here, they know how to make do. This makes the people here work harder to get what they want. The people who get the best grades are actually the people who deserve it. They work very hard, very diligently, and are always fighting in order to succeed. Maybe that is why I like the people here. They do not slack off and do not BS around. Obviously, there are people that are lazy, like anywhere in the world. However, the people worth the time and the people who actually do well in this country are those that actually make an effort.
( I know some of you may have been concerned with my posting this week regarding my frustration, but, I just had 1 bad day out of my entire time here. That was it. It has gotten a lot better! And, when things settle down I will give complete updates regarding my studying/working situation.)
k bye.
(This is an annex to my blog post...the comment is the same as below, but I wanted to "edit" and include it in the blog post for those who may not read the comments.):
By the way--I am not saying AT ALL that we in the US do not work hard...that we are lazy because we have some luxurious that other countries don't. I am SO sorry if it seemed that way in my blog post. That is certainly not the case as I know many people, including myself, that have worked our butts off to accomplish things in the US. That it was not easy at all.
All I wanted to indicate was that in Argentina they do well for what they have. That they do not let not having certain things get in the way of them working hard for their own successes.
I hope that you all do not believe I am saying no one works hard in the US. That we slack off because we have certain materials and resources that others do not have. Not at all! All I wanted to project was that in Argentina they continue to work really hard even without some resources that we may have in the US. That they do not let obstacles get in the way. I hope it doesn't seem like I am putting anyone down in the US. I know you, I, all of us work VERY hard to do well and succeed.
By the way--I am not saying AT ALL that we in the US do not work hard...that we are lazy because we have some luxurious that other countries don't. I am SO sorry if it seemed that way in my blog post. That is certainly not the case as I know many people, including myself, that have worked our butts off to accomplish things in the US. That it was not easy at all.
ReplyDeleteAll I wanted to indicate was that in Argentina they do well for what they have. That they do not let not having certain things get in the way of them working hard for their own successes.
I hope that you all do not believe I am saying no one works hard in the US. That we slack off because we have certain materials and resources that others do not have. Not at all! All I wanted to project was that in Argentina they continue to work really hard even without some resources that we may have in the US. That they do not let obstacles get in the way. I hope it doesn't seem like I am putting anyone down in the US. I know you, I, all of us work VERY hard to do well and succeed.